Protective effects of calcium on copper toxicity in Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: Copper accumulation, enzymatic activities, histology

The present study was conducted to determine interactive effects of waterborne co-exposure of copper (Cu) and calcium (Ca) on Cu accumulation, enzymatic activities and histology in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and test the prediction that Ca could protect against Cu—induced toxicity in the fish species. Yellow catfish were exposed to 0, 1.0, 2.0 mg Cu/l, in combination with 0 and 50 mg Ca/l. Waterborne Cu and Ca co-exposure influenced the majority of tested enzymatic activities (succinate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase), and changed Cu contents in several organs (gill, liver, kidney, gastrointestine and muscle). For histological observations, at the same Ca level, waterborne Cu exposure induced injuries in gills and liver. However, Ca addition seemed to mitigate the severity of Cu—induced injuries. Thus, our study demonstrated that Ca had the capacity to reduce Cu toxicity in P. fulvidraco.

► Cu exposure caused histological changes and intermediary metabolism of P. fulvidraco.
► Waterborne Cu and Ca co-exposure changed Cu accumulation in several organs of P. fulvidraco.
► Ca had the capacity to reduce Cu toxicity in P. fulvidraco.